I am a 4th generation tool and die maker.. I still consider that my trade, even though I don't make me living that way any more. Unless applying for loan or insurance, then I list Engineer; they like that a lot better.
Yes, i know Jade well. My father worked there in early/mid 70s. One of the places I worked at was Schwab & Rieber in Hatboro. Jade bought them after I left there, and moved most of the guys to HV. Thought I would never hear from them again.
Actually was Mr Rieber who did me a favor and encouraged me to leave the trade, even though he probably didn't see it going that way.. One day, after three years without a raise, he called me in and told me I was one of the lucky ones, as I was getting 10 cents an hour raise. This was late 80s, so that $4 a week did nothing. ****** me off so much I decided that very day to leave the the trade.
I went back to night college and finished my degree 10 years later. Got a job at the big Philly international helicopter plant designing tools with my new degree and background. Funny thing turned out that Jade is one of our suppliers, and through the front office guys I talked to i could still find out who from S&R was still there. Was actually there 2x while working at current job to settle some issues with a job I had designed. I am sure the former S&R employees building the parts loved seeing my name in the title block of the drawing!